Charlie Chaplin in Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland

[R Michael Pyle]

My wife and I just got back from spending six weeks in the Republic of Ireland. We've been going to Scotland, Wales, or England for 35 years straight, but - shame on us - we'd never gone to Ireland before.

Curiously enough, I saw that a statue of Charlie Chaplin was standing in Waterville on the Ring of Kerry at the bottom of Ireland, and I had to stop in the village and find out why. It was such a pleasant surprise! Turns out that Chaplin fell in love with this stunningly beautiful ocean-side village and from 1959-1969 vacationed here with Oona O'Neill, his wife, and many of his children. They'd stay in the still-standing Butler Arms Hotel. The town has never forgotten Chaplin, and have for the past seven years presented a film festival which always presents some of Chaplin's work, too. This year's festival is 24-27 August and will feature "City Lights" and "A King in New York" besides the other entries which compete for Best of Festival in the Filmmakers Competition.

There is also a shop in town devoted to Chaplin. I enjoyed a very fascinating visit inside for over an hour with Anne Condon. I also bought a 40 minute documentary entitled "Chaplin: The Waterville Picture", a limited edition print narrated by Chaplin's grandson, Arthur Gardin, produced by Waterville local Joe McGill and a lady named Connie Broderick. It's quite good, and it's fascinating for the relationship between Chaplin and Waterville, and Ireland in general. The festival always has its share of guest speakers. David Robinson and Kevin Brownlow have been presenters in the past. This year's speakers include Liam Muldowney, Bridget O'Driscoll, and Cass Sunstein.

For the record - and sort of off the record - one of Chaplin's daughters has a home here now, and she mingles almost unnoticed in the town with the townspeople who respect her privacy.

It was a delicious discovery. And - I certainly recommend the view of the Atlantic here, too, which is stunning! You just never know where you're going to find silent film connections, even in 2017...

[Silents Please]

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